Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----
Wore Ring for 5 Years with no problem...
Here's my question... It kind of goes with gold, but kind of not.
For my 20th birthday my mom had her wedding and engagement ring melted down and put into a setting for me for my birthday. I wore this ring for 5, almost 6 years with no problems. In January of this year (2011) I started getting a rash under the ring on the finger I wear the ring on. I have rings on other fingers with no problem. The rash doesn't spread. The rash goes away when I put athletes foot cream on it, because I originally thought it was a form of skin yeast infection. The rash cleared up, and I put my ring back on. Two days later, the rash was back and worse than before. I cannot wear anything on that finger, but I am able to wear the SAME RING on the opposite hand, with no reactions???
hobbyist - Whitby, Ontario, Canada
April 6, 2011
April 9, 2011
Sir:
Perhaps the problem is a small amount of nickel in the ring.
Regards,
Galvanizing Consultant - Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA
It sounds to be like you have got a ring that contains some nickel and that you have become sensitised to nickel. regrettably there is nothing you can do to get "desensitised", so you should avoid coming into contact with nickel containing jewellery and the such. Unfortunately, the situation will not improve and as time goes by, the time taken for the rash to appear will get shorter. Do not worry about things like stainless steel saucepans, because they will not do you any harm - for nickel sensitisation to take effect, you need to be in direct and prolonged contact with the nickel source. I suggest you consult your doctor and/or a dermatologist.
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
April 28, 2011
If you mother's ring was gold, I am assuming here, why is it irritating you skin? Maybe some unscrupulous jeweler made a ring out of some cheap white metal and gold plated it. Keeping most of the gold for ill-begotten gain. Then after a period of time you wore through the gold resulting in a skin irritation. A reputable jeweler should be able to tell you if this is the case.
Frank DeGuire- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
May 10, 2011
May 18, 2011
Probably more than you EVER wanted to know about Nickel Dermatitis and Jewelry, but here goes.
I have severe nickel dermatitis, my sister is a dermatologist, and I've been a bead and jewelry supply vendor and user for over 10 years. You know have the my certifications, such as they are, and here's what I've discovered....
Typically, I find that I CANNOT wear ANY plated items especially in hot, humid or dare I say it, sweaty, conditions. Rash happens immediately. So, your ring more than likely isn't gold PLATED. Plating is kind of like the candy coating on an m&m. At least that's how I think of it.
I CAN wear 14K Gold FILLED. Think of a twinkie. Jewelers Brass is covered with a THIN sheet of 14K gold. Then the item is formed. So the Jewelers brass is the cream, the cake is the 14K gold sheet. If you wear out the "sponge cake" or file it off, you'll "lose" the gold, have different colors of metal and probably have a problem with nickel dermatitis if you have it. Depending on the thickness of the gold sheet, I find the nickel seems to "bleed" through. I'm sure there are measure of thickness that cause this, but I found a few suppliers of jewelry findings -- you know, the earring hooks or items like a clasp -- that didn't make me break out, so I stuck to them for my business too!
I'm not a guru on metals obviously! You can't cast gold filled, since everything would melt together. So probably your ring isn't gold filled.
I CAN wear many 14K or 18K gold items. I usually CAN'T wear 10K gold items. I'm sure most of these folks could tell me why. I always figured it had something to do with the mix of elements that keeps the gold from being 24K and hardens it too. But, again, I'm not a metals guru.
I CAN wear Sterling Silver -- 92.5% Silver content as opposed to those earrings you find at the beach that say Silver. In the US those have to be at least 80% Silver content to say that. But, since the beach guys will probably not see you again, who knows what they really are! Again, can't do silver plated AT all.
I didn't have the nickel dermatitis at birth. As the other gentleman stated, it can come on with time, but I've had it since I was a child. My sister, the dermatologist thought I was just being prissy that I never wanted silver only gold earrings. Later, we realized why since we usually only shopped at places like the beach ones as a teen and their silver, well you got it....
Whole 'nother thought. Since I can tolerate 14K cast gold, I was TOTALLY surprised a few years ago, when I got a wicked rash like you describe. Thought it might be a fungus under the ring, and tried lots of things you did too.
Traced it down and found the rash was caused by a reaction from the ring, my skin, and a new brand of soap. It was my wedding ring, so I threw away the soap!
Has also happened with hand cream. Once with a sunblock. Might be your issue too if you can wear other jewelry without an issue or if the metal snap fastener on your jeans doesn't give you the "itchies."
My niece, daughter of the dermatologist, got what looked like ringworms on her legs as a baby, until my sister realized they were circles from the snaps on her baby onesie clothes.
So, in summary, yes, finally, I come to the point....
If other costume jewelry or clothing adornments/findings are also giving you a rash, then I'm sorry, you've probably got a permanent case of the itchies -- the best solution is just to avoid metal parts -- you'll find issues with certain ladies undergarments that have hooks and other findings will cause an issue. Maybe one of these guys could create some Niobium findings for that!
If only the ring bothers you.... consider the cream/soap issue -- change brands and gauge what happens.
Even with the itchies, you might be able to wear the ring for special occasions. Often, when you've got the itchies, you can usually go a few hours without being driven crazy by it.
If the special occasion option doesn't work, add it to a suncatcher and hang it near a place you spend a lot of time and can be reminded of the sentiment.... or give it to another loved one as a remembrance.
Good luck! Just happened on the site when I was trying to determine the difference between galvalume and galvanize -- don't laugh too hard folks -- and already I've learned a ton by reading many of the posts. Great global support!!
- Selma, North Carolina, USA
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread